sl-request

library1.0.8jsnpmunverified

sl-request is a Node.js HTTP client, version 1.0.8, explicitly stated as a fork of the widely used but now deprecated `request` library, primarily for internal use by sealights.io. This package attempts to provide a simplified API for making HTTP calls, supporting HTTPS, automatic redirects, streaming, and various request body types (forms, multipart). However, inheriting its core from the original `request` library, it carries the same limitations and risks, including a callback-centric API, known security vulnerabilities, and a lack of modern maintenance. The original `request` library was officially deprecated in February 2020 due to its unmaintained status, security risks, and outdated architectural patterns that do not align with modern JavaScript and Node.js paradigms. Users should be aware that `sl-request` likely shares these fundamental issues and does not offer a current, actively maintained solution for HTTP requests. Release cadence is infrequent, reflecting its internal-use nature and the deprecated status of its upstream.

http-networking

npm install sl-request

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · SL-REQUEST

sl-request

http-networkingjavascriptv1.0.8

Install

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Import

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Disk

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Pass rate

0/ 6

Env Coverage0 / 6

glibc

18–22

musl

18–22

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · npm install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

node 18–226 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–226 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

request

✓ import request from 'sl-request';

✗ const request = require('request');

While `request` was the original package name, this fork is named `sl-request`. This is the primary ESM import pattern. CommonJS `require` is also supported.

request (CommonJS)

✓ const request = require('sl-request');

✗ import request from 'sl-request';

This is the CommonJS import pattern, as shown in the package's README, adjusted for the `sl-request` package name. The underlying `request` library was primarily CJS-focused.

request.get, request.post

✓ import request from 'sl-request'; request.get('...');

✗ import { get } from 'sl-request';

The `request` library (and thus this fork) exports a main function, with convenience methods like `get` and `post` attached as properties to that function, not as named exports directly from the module.

Demonstrates basic GET request, streaming a file via PUT, and error handling for stream-based operations, using `sl-request`.

import request from 'sl-request'; import fs from 'fs'; // Basic GET request request('http://www.google.com', function (error, response, body) { if (error) { console.error('Error:', error); return; } console.log('statusCode:', response && response.statusCode); console.log('Body snippet:', body.substring(0, 100) + '...'); }); // Stream a file to a PUT request // For demonstration, create a dummy file first fs.writeFileSync('temp_upload.json', JSON.stringify({ message: 'Hello from sl-request' })); fs.createReadStream('temp_upload.json') .pipe(request.put('http://httpbin.org/put', function (error, response, body) { if (error) { console.error('PUT Error:', error); return; } console.log('PUT statusCode:', response && response.statusCode); console.log('PUT Response:', body); fs.unlinkSync('temp_upload.json'); // Clean up dummy file })); // Example of error handling for streaming request.get('http://nonexistent-domain.invalid/image.png') .on('error', function(err) { console.error('Streaming error caught:', err.message); }) .pipe(fs.createWriteStream('downloaded_image.png'));

Debug

Known issues

breakingThe `sl-request` package is a direct fork of the original `request` library, which has been officially deprecated since February 2020 and is no longer maintained. This means `sl-request` inherently carries all the maintenance, security, and architectural issues of the unmaintained `request` library.

fix

Migrate to a modern, actively maintained HTTP client like `axios`, `node-fetch`, or `got`. Review your project's dependency tree for `request` or its forks and plan for replacement.

affects: >=1.0.0

breakingDue to its unmaintained nature, `sl-request` (and `request`) is susceptible to unpatched security vulnerabilities. Continuing to use it can expose your application to critical security risks, including supply chain attacks, data breaches, or denial-of-service vulnerabilities.

fix

Immediately replace `sl-request` with a secure, well-maintained HTTP client. Regularly audit your dependencies using `npm audit` and keep them updated.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaThe API is primarily callback-based, which can lead to 'callback hell' in complex asynchronous flows. While some promise-based wrappers existed for the original `request`, `sl-request` does not natively provide modern `async/await` support without manual promisification.

fix

If migrating is not immediately possible, use `util.promisify` from Node.js's built-in `util` module to wrap callback-style functions, or consider a dedicated promise-wrapper library if available for this fork. The better long-term solution is migration.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaThe original `request` library (and thus its forks) was known for potential memory leaks and performance inefficiencies, especially with high concurrency or large data streams, due to its older codebase and lack of modern optimizations.

fix

Monitor memory usage and performance closely in production. The most effective fix is to migrate to a modern HTTP client designed with better performance and memory management.

affects: >=1.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

Error: Cannot find module 'request'

Attempting to `require('request')` or `import 'request'` instead of `sl-request` when the package installed is `sl-request`.

fix

Ensure you are importing the correct package name: `const request = require('sl-request');` or `import request from 'sl-request';`.

DeprecationWarning: request has been deprecated, see https://github.com/request/request/issues/3142

This warning directly indicates that the underlying `request` library, which `sl-request` is forked from, is deprecated. This warning will appear even for `sl-request` installations due to its origin.

fix

Acknowledge that `sl-request` inherits the deprecation status of its upstream. While the warning is expected, the recommended fix is to migrate to a modern, actively maintained HTTP client.

TypeError: request is not a function

This usually happens when `request` is imported incorrectly, such as `import { request } from 'sl-request';` instead of a default import, or if the `require` statement doesn't correctly assign the function.

fix

Use the correct import pattern: for ESM `import request from 'sl-request';` or for CJS `const request = require('sl-request');`. The main export is a callable function, not an object with named properties that need destructuring.

Upgrade

Version history

1.0.8latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

8 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/Sealights/request ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/sl-request ↗

homepagehttps://sealights.io ↗